ABOUT OUR COUNCIL
Council Mandate:
Without limiting the generality of the National Constitution, the Ontario Council shall attempt to secure legislation in the Province of Ontario, by political action and other means, that will benefit all workers, promote the interests and benefits of a democratic trade union movement in the province of Ontario, provide education and programs to the membership of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada within the Ontario Council’s jurisdiction, assist the National Union in developing and organizing the unorganized workers, and make recommendations to the National Union, its Executive Board and Officers with respect to the operation of the Union within the Province of Ontario.
History:
Our council was formed at the same time the Energy and Chemical Workers Union of Canada was formed. The newly formed Union did not have a national education program so the Ontario Energy council was formed to provide education. We designed and delivered the education programs in Ontario. Along the way it was decided that the Council should get active politically as legislation has such a big impact on our members. We started a political action account and affiliated to the Ontario New Democratic Party. We use this fund to send our political action person to the O.N.D.P conventions. We also contribute to the political campaigns of C.E.P members that run as NDP candidates.
After the merger in Montreal we changed our name to Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Ontario Council and our jurisdiction to all Local Unions in Ontario charted in accord with the National Union Constitution. We also had to change the education we were providing as CEP had a national education program and we felt duplication was a waste of resources. We now provide timely, and topical education not provided by the National and are still active politically.
Meeting Schedule:
We hold an annual by-laws convention in the spring at different locations around the province. The three day convention is held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The first day deals with council business, guest speakers and National and Regional Officers. The second day is filled with educational classes. The third day is council business, guest speakers and National and Regional Officers. This gives our members a chance to meet their National and Regional officers. It also provides a forum for our members to discuss problems and share solutions that our specific to Ontario. The executive board meets through out the year as needed.
Scholarships:
The Ontario Council has the Al Mcleod scholarship fund. Scholarships are available to CEP Ontario Council Local Union members and their immediate families, and are “awarded to persons seeking higher levels of education to assume a career or advance the social fabric of Canada and working people”.